Europe is the home of the Roman and British Empires, the Italian and Dutch Renaissances, Spanish cuisine and French wine, long stretches of cliff-clad coastline and cobalt waters. This best of Europe tour is tailored to your tastes, ensuring the European vacation you always wanted, taking you alongside the gentle lapping water of the Grand Canal and the shimmering detailed marble of Michelangelo’s David. Gardens sprinkle large cities with emphatic greenery. Locals sit at cafes and watch their...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
A British Beginning
The water of the Thames gently glistens under peal of Big Ben. The London Tower Bridge rises over the waterway with grace. The Gherkin building captures the sunlight and sparkles against the high-rises of the financial district like a Faberge Egg.
A representative from one of our top European tour operators will meet you at the airport and provide a private transfer to your comfortable hotel situated near the heart of the city. You find an elaborate sense of history around every corner. Energetic, polished main streets meet cobblestone alleyways, and cosmopolitan restaurants stand next to historic pubs. The aroma of steaming pasties drifts from traditional cafes, and you can look into charming cottage style windows to see plates of cucumber sandwiches accompanying High Tea.
What's Included:
Day 2
London Calling
Day 3
Opening the Tunnel
Day 4
Cruising the Canal
Day 5
Castles Up Close
Day 6
Fairytale Luster
Day 7
Around the Alps
Day 8
Big Energy Small Border
Day 9
Sounds of Music
Day 10
Finding the Classics
Day 11
Opening Zagreb
Day 12
Around Saints and Canals
Day 13
Into the Earth
Day 14
Venetian Opulence
Day 15
Visiting St. Francis
Day 16
Blissful Panorama
Day 17
Inside the Blue Grotto
Day 18
Stories of the Past
Day 19
Eternal City Review
Day 20
Renaissance Flair
Day 21
Leaning with the Tower
Day 22
Taking Advantage of Nice
Day 23
Lively Van Gough
Day 24
Expressing the Gaudi
Day 25
Visions of the Spanish Plain
Day 26
Embracing the Spanish Capital
Day 27
Absorbing the Art
Day 28
Seaside to Countryside
Day 29
Famous Smile
Day 30
Around the City Lights
Day 31
European Exit
Trip Highlights
- Walk alongside the iconic image of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
- Indulge in three-course dinners meant to encapsulate the traditions of each culture
- Explore Rome where you will wander through the Vatican Museum and see the brilliant colors of the Sistine Chapel
- See the Prime Minister’s House and iconic Parliament Building in London
- Cruise down the canal in Amsterdam for a unique and beautiful view of the historic buildings
- Witness the storybook style castles around the mountains of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria
- Venture through the Louvre Museum to see some of the most famous art and antiquity in the world
- Tour through some of the most remarkable opera houses in history, home to the likes of Bach and Mozart
- Stroll alongside the famous Grand Canal in Venice where you will have the city’s panorama of the Doge’s Palace and Basilica di San Marco
- Experience the charming cobblestone streets of medieval towns
- Discover the pious wonder of St. Francis and the decorative majesty of the Cathedral of Assisi
- Revel in the sensual colors of the Amalfi Coast, a coastline known for its majestic cliffs and azure water
- Experience the brilliant colors of the Blue Grotto on the historic island of Capri
- Wander through the famous ancient city frozen in ash, Pompeii
- Visit the artistic treasures of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, and the Prado in Madrid
- Relax in the distinct Catalonian pace of Barcelona set alongside the Mediterranean Sea
- Marvel at the detailed design of the towering Sagrada Familia Church
Detailed Description
Europe can be a lifelong desired destination or a continent to revisit over and over again, with each country offering a distinctive culture, remarkable cuisine, and incomparable histories. This 31-day best of Europe tour takes you through numerous countries, highlighting the beauty and splendor encapsulated in specific cities.
Your tour of Europe begins with your arrival in London. The capital of England erupts with energy based on historic cobblestone streets and the rippling current of the River Thames. The following day your guide takes you through the city’s highlights, from the Parliament Building to Buckingham Palace.
Take the train underneath the English Channel and arrive in Brussels, Belgium. Your guide will take you on a tour to see the Gothic Town Hall, Grand Place Square, and the statue of Everard t’Serclaes, a 14th century hero. Travel the short distance to Amsterdam, Holland where you will journey around the 700-year-old capital on a canal cruise, along with visiting a Diamond Center.
Traverse the Dutch countryside, crossing the German border and arriving in Heidelberg. Indulge in the view of the Rhine Cruise alongside the medieval town, and venture to the storybook castle overlooking the riverbanks. Visit the Black Forest, known as the home of some of the most famous fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, and treasured towns known for making cuckoo clocks. Visit Rhine Falls and continue onward to Lucerne, Switzerland. Spend a full day exploring the city, from Chapel Bridge to Lion Monument, there is even time to take a cable car ride to the top of Mount Pilatus.
Next, travel through Liechtenstein, one of the smallest countries in the world, before visiting the Olympic town of Innsbruck, Austria and settling in Salzburg. It is easy to discover the charms of Salzburg, from the fortress style castle overlooking the domes and spires of antique streets, to the gardens known for their role in the Sound of Music with Julie Andrews. Arrive in Vienna, the capital of Austria and follow your guide through the opulent history around the streets, including the State Opera House and the lavish Hofburg Palace.
Travel through Maribor, Slovenia to Zagreb, Croatia where you will meander through the Lower and Upper regions on a guided tour of the medieval city. Transfer to Ljubljana, Slovenia and explore the elegant cobblestone streets of Old Town, a classic representation of the medieval structures along the Ljubljanica River. From Ljubljana, you will make your way to the celebrated city of Venice, Italy stopping en route to visit the Postojna Caves. Your guide will take you through the mesmeric streets of Venice, known for its lavish marble buildings and splendid canals. Venture deeper into Italy at Assisi, home of St. Francis. Continue southward to the Amalfi Coast, winding along the picturesque coastline before arriving in Sorrento.
Spend a full day on the historic island of Capri where you can see the glowing pigment of the Blue Grotto. Traverse the Bay of Naples to enjoy a guided tour of the ancient city of Pompeii. Continue onward to Rome and have a full day to explore the Eternal City. Discover the magnificence of St. Paul’s Basilica and the artistic brilliance of the Sistine Chapel. Embrace the entirety of the ancient city’s remains on a guided tour. The Renaissance city of Florence provides insight into the stunning architecture and artistry of the Enlightenment.
The verdant greenery and vineyards drape the surrounding region of Tuscany. Your guide will take you to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower. Tour through a beautifully fragrant perfume factory in Èze, France, before settling in the beachside city of Nice. Have a delightful day at your leisure in Nice to relax on the beach or stroll through the old town streets. Explore the charming town of Arles en route to Barcelona, Spain. Once in Barcelona you have a full day to indulge in the city, taking in Gaudi’s master architecture and the remarkable streets of the Gothic Quarter.
Revel in the scenery on your way to Madrid, spending time in Zaragoza to experience the rural ambiance of the urban landscape. Enjoy a full day tour of Madrid, visiting the largest palace in Europe and the stunning works displayed in the Prado Museum. Venture northbound to Bilbao, the capital of the Basque Region to see the Guggenheim Museum, and continue onward to the seaside resort city of Biarritz, France. Travel inland through the treasured French countryside arriving in Bordeaux, where you will have an orientation tour to witness the enchantment of the unique city.
Board the train to Paris, leaving behind the countryside and welcoming the wonder of the City of Lights. Spend a half day at the Louvre Museum discovering the vast collection on display. A full day in Paris allows you to take in the most iconic images of the cityscape, from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees, even Sacre Coeur atop the hills of Montmartre.
On your last day, your private transfer meets you at the hotel and escorts you to the airport. Your vacation may have ended, but the splendor across the continent will continue to fascinate you and the surrounding world.
Starting Price
$14,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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